Method of smoking reduction using cigarettes with longer

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a cigarette ( 100 ) which comprises of non-tobacco ( 10 ) and tobacco ( 20 ) elements, wherein the internal volumetric proportions (IVP) of said elements is equal to or less than 4:1 to 1:20. Moreover, a method of increasing the proportion of SI to non-satiating inhalations NSI per one cigarette, whilst guaranteeing the quantity of SI compared with standard cigarettes is presented. A method for researching Cigarette Smoking Addiction (CSA) in subjects and a method of decreasing inhalation of tobacco smoke and associated GVE per one cigarette whilst guaranteeing the quantity of SI compared with standard cigarettes are also taught.

The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/860,229, filed Nov. 21, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of smokingreduction, more particularly to the field of reducing the amount oftobacco in a cigarette.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of smoking reduction and cessation is in extensive growth inthe past few years. The annual smoking market and its products hasalready reached 400 billion dollars, and the market for smokingreduction and cessation products and services is growing in parallel.Some solutions are offered for smoking reduction. For example, US patentapplication 2004221860 discloses selectively tobacco shortenedcigarettes with a multiplicity of components including a shortened buttand an inner tube for reinforcing the casing of the selectively tobaccoshortened cigarette. Selectively tobacco shortened cigarettes have anextinguishing gap region to limit burning of the selectively tobaccoshortened cigarette.

Additionally, WO9900027 discloses cigarettes with variable and limitedtobacco content, characterized in that they consist of a tube made fromcigarette paper which can be of different colors, having at one of itsends and therein a filter element and a compensation element made of asemi rigid material and of adapted length depending on the amount oftobacco provided

US patent application 2003159704 discloses a half-length and/or shortcigarette. In the case of any type of filtered cigarette, the onlyfactor that changes is reduction to half of the length of the actualtobacco rolled portion of the cigarette. In the case of an unfilteredcigarette, the cigarette will be reduced to half of the typical lengthof the cigarette.

The above-mentioned inventions have not captured significant shares ofthe cigarette market. A cigarette with a larger filter and less tobaccowhich is nevertheless as satisfying to smoke in comparison with standardcigarettes and a kit comprising such cigarettes is a long felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to disclose a cigarette (100)comprising a non-tobacco (10) and tobacco (20) elements, wherein theinternal volumetric proportions (IVP) of said elements is 4:1 to 1:20.

It is an object of the invention to disclose a cigarette (100) withstandard external and volumetric dimensions (SEVD) with IVP as above,wherein non-tobacco elements are of 2 to 8 cm length.

It is an object of the invention to disclose a cigarette (100) whereinthe IVP of non-tobacco (10) and tobacco (20) elements is 4:1 to 1:20,wherein the overall dimensions of the cigarette are shorter and/orslimmer than an SEVD.

It is an object of the invention to disclose a means of providinghand-rolled cigarettes comprising a component selected from a groupconsisting of a filter member and either paper cylinder or paper sheet,wherein said IVP of said elements is between 4:1 to 1:20.

It is an object of the invention to disclose a pack of cigarettes (150)as above, said pack comprising a plurality of n cigarettes, n in aninteger number equal or higher 2, especially 10<n<20.

It is an object of the invention to disclose a kit (200) comprising atleast one pack of cigarettes as above, wherein said pack comprising aplurality of m groups, m is an integer number equal or higher 2, eachgroup characterized by a specific IVP between 4:1 to 1:20.

It is within the scope of the invention to disclose a kit as definedabove, further comprising a plurality of p compartments, p is an integernumber equal or higher 2, each compartment is adapted to storecigarettes with a different IVP group.

It is within the scope of the invention to disclose a kit as definedabove, wherein at least a portion of the cigarettes have an IVPidentification means, said means selected from a group consisting ofshape, size, color, texture, taste or any combination thereof.

It is within the scope of the invention to disclose a cigarette asdefined above, wherein the measure of a tobacco is adapted to providesatiating inhalations (SI) in an equal quantity as compared withstandard cigarettes.

It is within the scope of the invention to disclose a cigarette asdefined above, wherein the measure of tobacco is adapted to decreaseinhalation of tobacco smoke and associated deleterious gaseous andvolatile elements (GVE) per one cigarette whilst guaranteeing thequantity of SI compared with standard cigarettes.

It is within the scope of the invention to disclose a method ofincreasing the proportion of SI to non-satiating inhalations NSI per onecigarette, whilst guaranteeing the quantity of SI compared with standardcigarettes; said method comprising providing a cigarette, especially ofSEVD, with internal volumetric proportions of tobacco-to-non tobaccoelements such that said proportion varies from 4:1 up to 1:20,especially from 4:1 up to 1:1.

It is within the scope of the invention to disclose a method ofdecreasing inhalation of tobacco smoke and associated GVE per onecigarette whilst guaranteeing the quantity of SI compared with standardcigarettes by providing a cigarette of internal volumetric proportionsof tobacco-to-non tobacco elements such that said proportion varies from4:1 up to 1:20, especially from 4:1 up to 1:1.

It is within the scope of the invention to disclose a method ofincreasing sales of cigarettes whilst benefiting the smoker, comprising:

-   -   obtaining a cigarette (100) comprising a non-tobacco (10) and a        tobacco (20) elements, wherein the IVP of said elements varies        from 4:1 to 1:20; and    -   informing potential smokers of the composition of said        cigarette, thereby inducing said smokers to prefer said        cigarette over standard brands.

It is within the scope of the invention to disclose a method ofincreasing sales of cigarettes whilst benefiting the smoker, comprising:

-   -   obtaining a cigarette (100) comprising non-tobacco (10) and        tobacco (20) elements, wherein the IVP of said elements varies        from 4:1 to 1:20; introducing said cigarette to smokers; and,    -   encouraging said smokers to decrease inhalation of tobacco smoke        and associated GVE without reducing quantity of satiating        inhalations (QSI), thereby increasing the number of sold        cigarettes per day.

It is within the scope of the invention to disclose a method ofincreasing profitable sales of cigarettes, benefiting both the vendorand smoker, comprising:

-   -   decreasing the quantity of costly tobacco provided in each        cigarette;    -   increasing the proportion of SI to NSI per cigarette;    -   maintaining the quantity of SI per cigarette; and,    -   reducing quantities of GVE ingested by the smoker per cigarette.

Additionally comprising providing a cigarette of SEVD, with varyinginternal volumetric proportions of tobacco-to-non tobacco elements suchthat said proportion varies from 4:1 to 1:20, resulting in less NSI whensmoked without reducing QSI per unit.

It is within the scope of the invention to disclose a method ofincreasing sales of cigarette as defined above, wherein the cigarettesare provided in kit or pack form.

It is within the scope of the invention to disclose a method forresearching Cigarette Smoking Addiction (CSA) in subjects, comprising

-   -   providing a kit (200); said kit comprising at least one pack of        cigarettes, wherein said pack comprising a plurality of m        groups, m in an integer number equal or higher 2, each group        characterized by a specific IVP being equal to or less than 4:1        to 1:20;    -   controllably administering said subjects with said kit; and    -   assessing craving for cigarette smoking in said subjects.

It is further within the scope of the invention to disclose a method forresearching CSA as defined above, wherein the cigarettes areself-administered by the smoker.

It is yet further within the scope of the invention to disclose a methodfor researching CSA as defined above, wherein the assessing of cravingfor cigarette smoking in said addicted subjects is accomplished bycompleting one or more of the following: Fagerstrom tolerancequestionnaire (FTQ); General Habit Information (GHI); or WithdrawalSymptom Checklist (WSC).

Lastly, it is further within the scope of the invention to disclose amethod for researching CSA as defined above, additionally comprising astep of treating said addicted subjects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may beimplemented in practice, a plurality of embodiments will now bedescribed, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 schematically shows several embodiments of the novel cigaretteswith the improved proportions; and,

FIG. 2 schematically illustrating a kit comprising cigarettes withseveral proportions between the filter's size and the tobaccocompartment size, such that the user can gradually reduce smoking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of thepresent invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to makeuse of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by theinventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however,will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the genericprinciples of the present invention have been defined specifically toprovide a cigarette comprising non-tobacco (e.g., filter, papercylinder, paper envelope, paper sheet) and tobacco (e.g., tobacco,additives etc) elements, wherein the internal volumetric proportions(IVP) of said elements varies from about 4:1 to about 1:20.

It is a core principle of the invention that the density of the filtervaries concomitantly and appropriately with the dimensions of the filterso as to achieve uniformity of ease of inhalation within the whole rangeof filter sizes employed in the above mentioned cigarettes.

The term “improved proportions” or “improved” hereinafter applies to acigarette with an IVP ratio of filter to tobacco equal to or less thanabout 4:1 to about 1:20.

The term ‘kit’ refers hereinafter to any container comprising one ormore cigarettes with improved proportion, more specifically to acontainer comprising two or more different proportions between thefilter and the narcotic materials compartment.

The term ‘plurality’ applies hereinafter to any integer number greaterthan one.

The present invention discloses any cigarette or pack of cigaretteswhose filter is longer than the standard size filter of any particularbrand containing a lower ratio of tobacco to filter than the standardcigarette.

The present invention discloses a cigarette or a cigar or a cigarillocomprising a filter and a tobacco compartment. The length of commonlymarketed cigarettes is about 8-10 centimeters, and the tobaccocompartment is about three times longer than the filter, such that thelength of the tobacco compartment is about 6 to 8 centimeters.

Reference is made now to FIG. 1, schematically showing severalembodiments of the novel cigarettes with the improved proportions. Forexample, a first cigarette (10) with a length of 10 cm, having a filter(11) with a length of 5 cm and a narcotic material compartment of 5 cm(12), a second cigarette (20) with the same length (10 cm) with a 6 cmfilter (21) and a narcotic material compartment (22) of 4 cm, and thelast cigarette (30) with a 7 cm filter (31) and a narcotic materialcompartment (32) of 3 cm.

Reference is made now to FIG. 2, schematically illustrating theproportions of a kit (200) comprising a plurality of cigarettes (10, 20,30), wherein at least a portion of the cigarettes have a relativelygreater filter to tobacco ratio.

It is a preferred embodiment of the invention to provide a cigarette(100) which is comprised of non-tobacco (e.g., filter, paper cylinder)(10) and tobacco (e.g., tobacco, additives etc) (20) elements, whereinthe internal volumetric proportions (IVP) of said elements is equal toor less than 4:1 to 1:20.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide a cigarette (100)as defined above, with standard external and volumetric dimensions(SEVD) wherein non-tobacco elements are of 2 to 8 cm in length.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide a cigarette (100)as defined above, with standard external and volumetric dimensions(SEVD) wherein the dimensions of the cigarette are shorter and/orslimmer.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide a means ofproviding hand-rolled cigarettes comprising components selected from agroup consisting of paper cylinder or paper sheet and a filter memberwherein the internal volumetric proportions (IVP) of the elements isequal to or less than 4:1 to 1:20.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide a pack ofcigarettes (150) as defined above, the pack comprising a plurality of ncigarettes, n in an integer number equal or higher 2, especially10<n<20.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide a kit (200) whichcomprises at least one pack of cigarettes, wherein the pack comprises aplurality of m groups, m is an integer number equal or higher 2, eachgroup characterized by a specific IVP being equal to or less than 4:1 to1:20.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide the kit as definedabove which further comprises a plurality of p compartments, eachcompartment adapted to store cigarettes with a different IVP group.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide the kit as definedabove, wherein at least a portion of the cigarettes have an IVPidentification means, the means selected from a group consisting ofshape, size, color, texture, taste or any combination thereof.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide the cigarettewherein the measure of tobacco is adapted to provide satiatinginhalations (SI) in an equal quantity as compared with standardcigarettes.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide the cigarette asdefined above, wherein the measure of tobacco is adapted to providesatiating inhalations (SI) in an equal quantity as compared withstandard cigarettes.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide the cigarette asdefined above, wherein the measure of tobacco is adapted to decreaseinhalation of tobacco smoke and associated deleterious gaseous andvolatile elements (GVE) per one cigarette whilst guaranteeing thequantity of SI compared with standard cigarettes.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide a method ofincreasing the proportion of satiating inhalations (SI) to non-satiatinginhalations (NSI) per one cigarette, whilst guaranteeing the quantity ofSI compared with standard cigarettes; the method comprises of providinga cigarette, especially of standard external and volumetric dimensions(SEVD), with internal volumetric proportions of tobacco-to-non tobaccoelements such that said proportion varies from less than 4:1 up to 1:20,especially less than 4:1 up to 1:1.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide a method ofdecreasing inhalation of tobacco smoke and associated deleterious GVEper one cigarette whilst guaranteeing the quantity of SI compared withstandard cigarettes by providing a cigarette of internal volumetricproportions of tobacco-to-non tobacco elements such that said proportionvaries from less than 4:1 up to 1:20, especially less than 4:1 up to1:1.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide a method ofincreasing sales of cigarettes whilst benefiting the smoker, such thatthe method comprises of (a) obtaining a cigarette (100) comprising anon-tobacco (10) and a tobacco (20) elements, wherein the internalvolumetric proportions (IVP) of the elements are equal to or less than4:1 to 1:20 (b) informing potential smokers of the composition of thecigarette, thereby inducing the smokers to prefer the cigarette overstandard brands.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide a method ofincreasing sales of cigarettes whilst benefiting the smoker, such thatthe method comprises of (a) obtaining a cigarette (100) comprisingnon-tobacco (10) and tobacco (20) elements, wherein the internalvolumetric proportions (IVP) of said elements is equal to or less than4:1 to 1:20; (b) introducing the cigarette to smokers; (c) encouragingsmokers to decrease inhalation of tobacco smoke and associateddeleterious gaseous and volatile elements (GVE) without reducingquantity of satiating inhalations (QSI), thereby increasing the numberof cigarettes sold per day.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide a method ofincreasing profitable sales of cigarettes, benefiting both the vendorand smoker by (a) decreasing the quantity of costly tobacco provided ineach cigarette; (b) increasing the proportion of Si to NSI percigarette; (c) maintaining the quantity of SI per cigarette; and, (d)reducing quantities of GVE ingested by the smoker per cigarette.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide the above method,additionally providing a cigarette of SEVD with varying internalvolumetric proportions of tobacco-to-non tobacco elements such that theproportion varies from 4:1 to 1:20, resulting in ingestion of less GVEwhen smoked without reducing QSI per unit.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide a method ofincreasing sales of cigarettes, wherein the cigarettes are provided inkit or pack form.

It is another embodiment of the invention to provide a method forresearching Cigarette Smoking Addiction (CSA) in subjects, the methodcomprising of (a) providing a kit (200); the kit comprising at least onepack of cigarettes wherein the pack comprises a plurality of m groups, min an integer number equal or higher 2, each group characterized by aspecific IVP being equal to or less than 4:1 to 1:20; (b) controllablyadministering said subjects with the kit; and (c) assessing craving forcigarette smoking in the subjects. It is another embodiment of theinvention to provide the method for researching CSA, wherein thecigarettes are self-administered by the smoker.

It is a further embodiment of the invention to provide the method forresearching CSA, wherein the assessing of craving for cigarette smokingin said addicted subjects, is accomplished by completing one or more ofthe following: Fagerstrom tolerance questionnaire (FTQ); General HabitInformation (GHI); or Withdrawal Symptom Checklist (WSC).

Lastly, it is another embodiment of the invention to provide the methodfor researching CSA as above, additionally employing a step of treatingthe addicted subjects, by controllably administering a programmed regimeof cigarettes from said kit.

1. A cigarette (100) comprising a non-tobacco (10) and tobacco (20)elements, wherein the internal volumetric proportions (IVP) of saidelements is 4:1 to 1:20.
 2. A cigarette (100) with standard external andvolumetric dimensions (SEVD) according to claim 1, wherein non-tobaccoelements are of 2 to 8 cm length.
 3. A cigarette (100) according toclaim 1, wherein the overall dimensions of the cigarette are shorterand/or slimmer than an SEVD.
 4. A means of providing hand-rolledcigarettes comprising a component selected from a group consisting of afilter member and either paper cylinder or paper sheet, wherein said IVPof said elements is between 4:1 to 1:20.
 5. A pack of cigarettes (150)according to any of claim 1, said pack comprising a plurality of ncigarettes, n in an integer number equal or higher 2, especially10<n<20.
 6. A kit (200) comprising at least one pack of cigarettesaccording to claim 5, wherein said pack comprising a plurality of mgroups, m is an integer number equal or higher 2, each groupcharacterized by a specific IVP between 4:1 to 1:20.
 7. The kitaccording to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of p compartments,p is an integer number equal or higher 2, each compartment is adapted tostore cigarettes with a different IVP group.
 8. The kit according toclaim 6, wherein at least a portion of the cigarettes have an IVPidentification means, said means is selected from a group consisting ofshape, size, color, texture, taste or any combination thereof.
 9. Thecigarette according to claim 1, wherein the measure of a tobacco isadapted to provide satiating inhalations (SI) in an equal quantity ascompared with standard cigarettes.
 10. The cigarette according to claim1, wherein the measure of tobacco is adapted to decrease inhalation oftobacco smoke and associated deleterious gaseous and volatile elements(GVE) per one cigarette whilst guaranteeing the quantity of SI comparedwith standard cigarettes.
 11. A method of increasing the proportion ofSI to non-satiating inhalations NSI per one cigarette, whilstguaranteeing the quantity of SI compared with standard cigarettes; saidmethod comprising providing a cigarette, especially of SEVD, withinternal volumetric proportions of tobacco-to-non tobacco elements suchthat said proportion varies from 4:1 up to 1:20, especially from 4:1 upto 1:1.
 12. A method of decreasing inhalation of tobacco smoke andassociated GVE per one cigarette whilst guaranteeing the quantity of Sicompared with standard cigarettes by providing a cigarette of internalvolumetric proportions of tobacco-to-non tobacco elements such that saidproportion varies from 4:1 up to 1:20, especially from 4:1 up to 1:1.13. A method of increasing sales of cigarettes whilst benefiting thesmoker, comprising: a. obtaining a cigarette (100) comprising anon-tobacco (10) and a tobacco (20) elements, wherein the IVP of saidelements varies from 4:1 to 1:20; and b. informing potential smokers ofthe composition of said cigarette, thereby inducing said smokers toprefer said cigarette over standard brands.
 14. A method of increasingsales of cigarettes whilst benefiting the smoker, comprising: a.obtaining a cigarette (100) comprising non-tobacco (10) and tobacco (20)elements, wherein the IVP of said elements varies from 4:1 to 1:20; b.introducing said cigarette to smokers; and, c. encouraging said smokersto decrease inhalation of tobacco smoke and associated GVE withoutreducing quantity of satiating inhalations (QSI), thereby increasing thenumber of sold cigarettes per day.
 15. A method of increasing profitablesales of cigarettes, benefiting both the vendor and smoker, comprising:a. decreasing the quantity of costly tobacco provided in each cigarette;b. increasing the proportion of SI to NSI per cigarette; c. maintainingthe quantity of SI per cigarette; and, d. reducing quantities of GVEingested by the smoker per cigarette.
 16. The method according to claim15, additionally comprising providing a cigarette of SEVD, with varyinginternal volumetric proportions of tobacco-to-non tobacco elements suchthat said proportion varies from 4:1 to 1:20, resulting in less NSI whensmoked without reducing QSI per unit.
 17. A method of increasing salesof cigarette according to claim 15, wherein the cigarettes are providedin kit or pack form.
 18. A method for researching Cigarette SmokingAddiction (CSA) in subjects, comprising a. providing a kit (200); saidkit comprising at least one pack of cigarettes according to claim 6,wherein said pack comprising a plurality of m groups, m in an integernumber equal or higher 2, each group characterized by a specific IVPbeing equal to or less than 4:1 to 1:20; b. controllably administeringsaid subjects with said kit; and c. assessing craving for cigarettesmoking in said subjects.
 19. The method for researching CSA accordingto claim 18, wherein the cigarettes are self-administered by the smoker.20. The method for researching CSA according to claim 18, wherein theassessing of craving for cigarette smoking in said addicted subjects isaccomplished by completing one or more of the following: Fagerstromtolerance questionnaire (FTQ); General Habit Information (GHI); orWithdrawal Symptom Checklist (WSC).
 21. The method for researching CSAaccording to claim 18, additionally comprising a step of treating saidaddicted subjects, by controllably administering a programmed regime ofcigarettes from said kit.